New Zealand Seashore

DSC_8653 Dark rock snail, or kaeo (Haustrum haustorium) underside, showing aperture and operculum. A predator of top shells, turban snails, small mussels and oysters. It's behaviour of leaping on mobile prey (like top shells), is spectacular. Found on rocky reefs in sheltered to moderately exposed localities. Kaiteriteri *

DSC8653Dark rock snailkaeoHaustrumhaustoriumundersideaperatureoperculumKaiteriteri